yohaig-naija-news

Alex Iwobi is speaking about the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairstyle has actually assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season up until now.

'Yeah, that in fact plays a part (in expressing myself),' the Fulham midfielder states.

'My papa's in your house and he's probably heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got bored and didn't wish to suffice off so I believed let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' however not too wild. It's wild because it's red and purple at the moment however I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm easy.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football but has actually only revealed himself more in the last few years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching songs and releasing his charitable structure, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only just recently that I've been revealing myself a lot more, to show individuals that I am not just a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 goals in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement

It's a stark contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his launching under Arsene Wenger

This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work eliminated as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 families for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his home town, where everything will be totally free in a local grocery store.

'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get constrain or have no hamstrings, I will exist on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my papa naturally just gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually motivated me to offer to others, whether they are fortunate or less fortunate. With the position I am in, I seem like it's just ideal with the impact I have that I return as well.'

Through these efforts off the pitch, Iwobi thinks is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is just 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.
bet9ja.com
'As a youngster you wish to do your finest to impress the manager and desire everyone to know you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pushed about negative comments. If it's useful, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're positive and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I almost feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.'

One of those individuals that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't think twice when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace against Brighton recently, Silva said it was Iwobi's 'finest season in the Premier League up until now' and he concurs.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he's always had the state of mind of like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his launching tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have been associated with a great deal of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have actually been working well. You could state it's my best start to the season - I simply need to keep it going and ensure it's my best season. That's the objective' states Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who provides you the self-confidence to do that,' he says.

Earlier this year, Iwobi became the very first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut tune 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is explained as a celebration of his African roots with a mix of Afro-Swing combined with Rap".
bet9ja.com
It's also a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing space, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

'I don't get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he just can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was simply vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't comprehend what was said however he enjoyed the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having excellent feedback from the team - even individuals who don't speak English as their very first language like the Brazilians, they're vibing also,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's plan at Everton was to construct around the midfielder however he was sacked four months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez barely played him at all.

Iwobi would travel throughout the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in camouflage to enjoy his football again. Now that happiness has been found after his ₤ 22M relocation in 2015.

'Everyone's frame of mind is one for all and all for one so that's absolutely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a lot of togetherness, says Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023
bit.ly
Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), returned then went again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another team meal is arranged for midweek ahead of a run of three video games in seven days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little free food so I'm not complaining,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's really good. It's like one big family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having actually taken points from Arsenal last week and narrowly losing at Man City in October in a video game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to complete with anybody. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the exact same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get an outcome,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi